27 eateries awarded Michelin stars, Jay Fai retains star

Twenty-seven food shops and restaurants in Bangkok and other provinces have been awarded stars in the latest Micheline Guide, with street food eatery Jay Fai retaining its one-star rating awarded last year.

Michelin on Wednesday released its Michelin Guide Bangkok, Phuket and Phangna 2019, the second  Michelin Guide to Thailand, and the first to cover food outside Bangkok.

In the latest edition, 217 dinning establishments are featured, with a total of four two-star restaurants, of which one is a new addition; and 23 one-star establishments, of which 10 are new entries.

 “This year’s selection highlights the diversity of culinary experiences, both within and outside Bangkok," Gwedal Poullennec, international director of Micheline Guides, said. "We have also seen the blooming trend of the degustation menu, whereby chefs carefully design a complete experience for dinners.’’

The three two-star restaurants in the previous selection - Gaggan, Le Normandie, and Mezzaluna - retain their ratings. The addition, moving from one star to two, is Suhring, which offers "unique and contemporary European dishes".

Of the 23 one-star establishments in the 2019 edition, Le Du and Gaa are the only ones in Bangkok that progress from the “Plate’’- a designation given to restaurants for a good meal with fresh ingredients and capable preparation - to one star, while eight are new entries. Of the new entries, five are in Bangkok: Canvas, Methavalai Sorndaeng, R-Harn, Saawan and Sorn.

The three other one-star restaurants are Ruen Panya in Samut Sakhon province, Suan Thip in Nonthaburi  and Pru in Phuket.

Three restaurants previously each with one star - Element, Nahm and Saneh Jann - retain their ratings. 

Jae Fai street food shop in Bangkok - known for its crab omelettes - retains its one-star rating first awarded last year.